Jolie made the decision after discovering she carries the "faulty" BRCA1 gene, which doctors estimated gave her an 87 percent chance of developing breast cancer, but the "Come to My Window" star, a breast cancer survivor herself, hit headlines this week when she cautioned women in similar situations against blindly following the Hollywood actress' lead.

She told the Washington Blade newspaper, "I have to say I feel a little differently (than Jolie). I have that gene mutation too and it's (a double mastectomy) not something I would believe in for myself. I wouldn't call it the brave choice. I actually think it's the most fearful choice you can make when confronting anything with cancer."

The musician's remarks took Jolie's fiance Brad Pitt by surprise when he learned of her comments on Monday, during the New York premiere of his new film "World War Z," but he insisted Etheridge was "an old friend of mine" and expressed interest in discussing the matter with her in private, telling UsMagazine.com, "I'm sure we'll talk on the phone."

However, Etheridge, 52, has since released a statement, claiming her words were misconstrued.

The statement reads: "I don't have any opinion on what she 'should have' done. All are free to choose, I only objected to the term 'brave' describing it."